Fire-alarm system.



N. H. SUREN.

FIRE ALARM SYSTEM.

APPLIOATION FILED MMM, 1912.

Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

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NATHAN H. SUREN, OF NEEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 GAMEWELL FIRE-ALARM TELEGRAPH COMPANY, OF NEW YORK,

YORK.

N. Y., A CORPORATION 0F NEW FIRE-.ALARM SYSTEM.

Specicaton of LettersrPatent.

Patented Mar. 16,1915.

Application filed March 7, 1912. Serial N 0.682,214.

lishments, yards, etc., are usually equipped.

with portable tire-extinguishing apparatus which may be conveyed to anyof the buildings, and some of the employees are drilled in operatingsaid apparatus, a local lirebrigade being organized for this purpose.

One of the objects attained by my present invention is the sounding of ageneral alarm in case of a fire.

Another object is the sounding of a drillalarm by which the locallire-brigade is called to attend a drill. Y

Another object is the sounding of a general drill-alarm in response towhich all of the employees are required to leave the buildings in order.

Another object is the sounding of a local drill-alarm by which theemployees of any n building or floor of a building are required to leavethe building in order.

The alarm-system embodying this invention is especially designed to meetthese requirements, it being arranged to sound these various alarmsaccording to the needs;

In the present embodiment of my invention signal-boxes are arranged inthe different buildings or stations throughout the establishment oryards, which are connected in circuit with a central station, orheadquarters. A local-alarm, such as a gong, is associated with eachsignal-box, and an electro-magnetically operated gong, towerstriker orwhistle is connected in circuit at the central-station or someconvenient place, and each signal-box has the capability of sending itsbox-number signal, and also of operating the local alarmsand thecentralstation alarm in dilerent ways, according vto the needs, thebox-number of the sendingv'box being tapped on the gongs and sounded onthe central-alarm. AsV an illustration the signaling-mechanism of eachbox may be set to send its box-number signal and cause all of thelocal-alarms and the centralstation alarm to respond; or cause thecentral-station alarm only to respond; or cause all of the local-alarmsto respond, the central-station alarm remaining silent; or cause only-that local-alarm to respond which is associated with the signal-boxwhich, is belng operated. rl`hus four different signals are providedfor. The first is the fire-signal;

the second, a drill-signal for the fire-brigade; the third, adrill-signal for the employees;

and therfourth, a drill-signal for the em- 1* ployees of a building orfloor of a building.

Different manufacturing establishments may vary this arrangementsomewhat to more fully meet their particular requirements, but ingeneral they will follow this plan. Smaller establishments, however, maynot use all of the signals herein provided,ror will vary the signalsaccording to their particular needs. f

Figure 1 is a diagram of a fire-alarm system embodying this invention,four signalboxes being represented, each with its alarmcontroller set ina different position for the sounding of four dierent alarms. Fig. 2 isa front elevation of one of the signalboxes, with its door open, theparts being represented in their normal positions.

10, represent the signal-boxes, four being here shown, for the purposeof illustrating my invention. They are connected in an electric-circuitwith a central-station represented at 11. rlhe several signal-boxes aremade alike and one will now be described.

12 is the box-number signal-wheel orn any usual or suitable form ofsignaling-mechanism, herein also referred to as signal formulatingmechanism, land 13 the non-interference magnet, the armature 14C ofwhich to operate two circuit-controllers, and to accomplish this resulta pivcted lever 20, engages the signal-wheel which may have `abifurcated end portion, oneof the arms, as

2l, of which is arranged to operate the cirv i cuit-controller 22, 23,'and the other arm, as

24, of which is arranged to operate a circuitl controller 25, 26. Eachtime a box is pulled both circuit-controllers are operated to controlcircuits for sending the box-number.

A local alarm, such for instance, as an electro-magnetic gong 30 isassociated with each signal-box, and a general alarm, such for instanceas an electro-magnetic gong 35, or it may be a tower-striker or whistle,is arranged at the central-station 11, although it is obvious that asmany local-alarms and general alarms as desired may be associated,respectively, with the signal-boxes and the central-station.Electric-circuits connect the several signal-boxes with thecentral-station, and a variable alarm-controller is associated with eachsignal-box arranged to control the circuits in such manner that thealarms may be caused to respond to the signals in four different ways,according to the position it is set. As here shown, two circuit-wires l0and 4l lead from one side of the battery 42, or other current supplymechanism, to the several signal-boxes, and a common returnwire 43,leads from the several boxes to the opposite side of the battery,thereby employing three main circuit-wires. Asa variablealarm-controller which may be employed, and which is associated witheach signalbox, a pair of four-point switches are here shown, which maybe connected together, so as to be moved together.

50 and 60 represent the two pivoted switcharms; 5l, 52, 53, 511, thecontact-points with which the switch-arm 50 cooperates, and 61, 62, 63,64, the contact-points with which the switch-arm 60 cooperates.

represents a bar connecting the two switch-arms 50 and 60 together, and7l a knob which is arranged on said bar, which may be engaged by handfor the purpose of moving the bar longitudinally to move the switcharmsto engage different contactpoints; and said bar also has arranged on ita point 2, which points to one or another indicator-plate 73 as the baris moved. Springs 75 are attached to the switch-arms which act to movethem in a direction opposite to that moved by the bar 70, and to holdthem in normal position, said springs serving particularly to return thebar and switch-arms connected thereto to normal position after a signalhas been sent. Means are also provided for holding the bar 70 andswitch-arms in the diilerent positions they may be set, which is adaptedto be operated automatically by the closing of the door of the box torelease the bar and switch-arms and permit them to be returned to normalby the springs 75. The means here shown for accomplishing this resultcomprises a detent-lever 80, pivoted at 8l, and bearing a detent 82,said lever being arranged above the bar 70, and the top of the bar 70 isformed with notches, three being here shown arranged to receive thedetent, thereby to hold the bar in three different abnormal positions.Said detent-lever has arranged on it a bevel-ended stud 85, and abevel-ended stud 86 is arranged on the inside ot' the boxdoor, which,when the door is closed engages the stud 85 and lifts the detent-leverhigh enough for its detent to disengage the bar 70.

In Fig. 2 the switch-arms 50 and 60 are represented in their normalpositions and in engagement with contact-points 51, 6l, respectively.lVhen the box-door is opened the bar 70 may be moved in a directiontoward the right to cause the switch-arms to engage any of the othercontact-points desired, and when so moved the detent will engage the barand hold it while the signal is being sent, but when the box-door isclosed the bevel-ended pin 86 on the inside of the door will engage thebevel-ended pin on the detent-lever and will lift said lever and causeits detent to disengage the bar 70, whereupon said bar and theswitch-arms connected therewith will be restored to normal by thesprings 7 5.

@ne arrangement of circuits and switches is here shown for the sake ofillustrating my invention, by which the alarms may be sounded in fourdifferent ways, that is to say, all of the alarms which are associatedwith the signal-boxes and the alarm at the central-station may besounded; or the alarm at the central-station only may be sounded; or allof the alarms associated with the signal-boxes may be sounded, the alarmat the central-station remaining silent; or only the alarm which isassociated with the particular box which is being operated may besounded. The arrangement of the circuits in connection with the switcheswhereby these results are accomplished will now be described.

rlfhe circuit-wire 40 with the common return-wire 43 is employed as thecentral-station or general alarm-circuit, and the circuit-wire l1 withthe common return-wire 43 is employed as the local alarm-circuit. rThetwo box-number circuit-controllers which are arranged in each box areconnected, respectively, in said circuits, the circuitcontroller 22, 23,being connected in the central-station alarm-circuit, and thecircuitcontroller 25, 26 being connected in the local alarm circuit.Both box number circuit controllers are arranged to be operatedsimultaneously or thereabout, during the operation of a box to controltheir respective circuits. The variable alarm-controller orswitch-mechanism is herein arranged to control the electricalconnections of the boxnumber circuit-controllers with their circuits, sothat they may or may not operate their circuits to cause the alarmscontrolled thereby to sound. The circuit-connections in ea ch box beingalike one only need be dcscribed.

` Referring particularly to Fig. 2, the main circuit-wire 40, leads to abinding-post 90, a circuit-wire 91 leads fromV said post to thecontact-point 53, a circuit-wire 92 leads from said contact-point to thecircuit-controlling member 23, a circuit-wire 93 leads from thecircuit-controlling member 22 to the non-interference magnet, acircuit-wire 94 leads from said magnet to the bindingpost 95, and acircuit-wire 96 leads from said binding-post to the common return-Wire43.

As the circuit is normally closed the noninterference magnet is normallyincluded in a closed circuit. A circuit-wire 96 also leads from thecircuit-controlling member 22 to the switch-arm 50, and said armnormally rests on the dead contact-point 51. The contact-point 52 isalso dead, but the contact-point 54 is connected by circuit- Vwire 97 tothe contact-point 53. The main from said switch-arm to the binding-postl109, and a circuit Wire 110 leads from said binding-post to the commonreturn-wire 43. The switch-arm 60 normally rests on the deadcontact-point 61. A circuit-wire 112 connects the contact-point 62 withthe binding-post 105. The contact-point 63 is dead The contact-point 64is connected with the binding-post 100 by or through a resistance 115,or wire including a resistance. Said resistance is approximately equalto the resistance of the magnet of the localalarm 30. c

With the alarm-controller in its normal position, as represented in boxmarked No. 1 Fig. 1, the apparatus is in condition to send a box-numbersignal and to cause the central-station alarm and all of thelocal-alarms to respond. Normally the switch-arm 50 rests on the deadcontact 51, and the switch-arm 60 rests on the dead contact 61, and asthe box-number circuit-controllers are operated the centralstation alarmand all of the local-alarms are sounded. The central-stationalarm-circuit is as follows: battery 42; circuit-wire 40, including thecentral-station alarm; circuitwires 91, 92; box-numbercircuit-controller 22, 23; circuit-wires 93, 94, 96; common return-wire43 to battery. Said circuit is operated by the box-numbercircuit-controller 22, 23, and the box-number is sounded on thecentral-station alarm 35. rlhe localalarm circuit is as follows: battery42'; main circuit-wire 41;-circuit-wires 101, 103, in'- cludinglocal-alarms 30; circuit-wire 104,-

106; box-number circuit-controllerv 25, 26; circuit-wires 107, 108, 110,and the common return-wire 43 to battery. 'Said local alarmcircuitisoperated by the box-number circuit-controller 25, 26, and thebox-number is sounded on the local-alarms 30. In View of the fact thatall of the boxes are connected with the circuits when in their normalypositions and their local-alarms 30 are nor-y alarm-controller is movedonestep to the right, as represented in boX marked No. 2 Fig. 1, it' isset in position to send a boxnumber signal and to cause thecentral-station alarm only to respond. Referring to said view, theswitch-arm 50 is moved onto the contact-point 52, which is a deadcontact-point, and the switch-arm 60 is moved onto the contact-point 62,and by circuitwire 112 and switch-arm 60, the box-numbercircuit-controller 25, 26, is shunted, so that although operated by thesignaling-mechanism the local alarm-circuit including the;

main circuit-wires 41, 43, is not operated, hence the local-alarms willnot respond, but the central-station alarm will respond to the operationof the box-number circuit-controller 22, 23. When the alarm-controlleris moved another step to the right. as represented in boX marked No 3 Fig. 1, it is set to send a box-number signal and to causev all of thelocal-alarms to respond, the central-station alarm remaining' silent.When in this position the switch-arml 50 rests on the contact-point 53,and the switcharm 60 rests on the contact-point 63, the latter being'dead and by circuit-wire 96 and switch-arm 50the box-numbercircuitcontroller 22, 23 is shunted, so that although operated by thesignaling-mechanism the central-station alarm circuit 40, 43 is notoperated, hence the central-station alarm Y will not respond, but all ofthe local-alarms will respond to the box-number circuit-controller 25,r26. When the alarm-controllerl is moved another step'to the right', asrep- Y' resented in box marked No. 4 Figfl, itis set to send abox-number signaland to cau'se only the local-alarm to respond which isi' associated withthe boX Ywhich is being 4op-'l erated. When in thisposition the switcharm 50, rests on the contact-point 54, and theswitch-arm 60 rests,` on the contact-point 64, and the box-numbercircuit-controller 22, 23 is shunted, asin box marked No. 3

and the resistance 115 is included in parallel with said lccal-alarm 30,and the boX- number circuit-controller` 25, 26, and as a result saidlccal-alarm only is caused to respond, all the other local-alarmsremaining silent.

I do not desire to limit my invention to the particular arrangement ofcircuits here shown, as it is obvious that they may be changed and yetthe results herein set forth accomplished. l/Vhile ordinarily thesignalboXes will be provided with non-interference means to control theoperation of the signaling-mechanism, yet it is obvious that said meansmay or may not be employed.

If employed, however, it is important that they shall be so arrangedthat precedence is given to actual iire or general alarms, so that eventhough the local alarms are operated from any of the stations the tireor general alarm Will immediately and correctly respond in case a fireor general alarm signal is sent in from any other station.. rlhe resultswhich are desired in this particular are as follows:-

lst: lf, When the system is in normal condition, the mechanism at anyone of the stations is actuated, such station will immediately takecontrol of the entire system, and Will cause response of all the alarmdevices, both local and general.

2nd: If, when the system is in normal condition, the mechanism at one ofthe stations is operating to send an alarm over the system to bereceived on all 01"' the alarm devices, attempt is made to send in asignal from some other station, the alarm transmitted from the stationfirst actuated Will remain in control of the system and the correcttransmission oit this fire alarm will not be interrupted as a result ofactuation of mechanism at such other station. rlhe local alarm devicesand the central or brigade calling mechanism Will give the signal of thestation first actuated, and there can be no interference With suchsignal as a result of an attempt to send in an alarm from anotherstation.

3rd: It the system is being used for drill purposes and is set at onestation to select one or all of the local alarm devices for operationand to exclude the general alarm mechanisms, and at another station thesystem is controlled for sending` in an alarm of lire, the station thusactuated for lire Will immediately take control and continue theoperation ol the selected local alarm devices and at the same time Willcause transmission of its tire alarm number to the fire brigade orcentral station Without interference. y

4th: lf the system is being used `for drill purposes and is selectivelycontrolled from one of the stations to cause response only of thegeneral alarm or brigade calling mechamsm, and an actual alarm of fire1s sent in from another station, the station using the system fordrilling Will retain control until its signal has been sounded on thegeneral alarm mechanism, and the station attempting to send in an alarmof fire Will then take control and will cause the sounding of all thelocal alarm devices and of the general alarm mechanism and will cause noincorrect signal or interference in the action of the general alarmmechanism While such mechanism is responding to the drill conditions setup at the station first actuated.

By arranging the non-interference mechanism 13 in the general alarmcircuit, as here shown and described, and its cooperating armaturestructure la for controlling the movement of the lever 20, as here shownand described, these results will be obtained, the general alarm circuitthrough the non-interference mechanism controlling the local alarmcircuit at all times.

I claim l. In a signaling-system, the combination of a general alarmcircuit including general alarm mechanism, a local alarm circuitincluding one or more local alarm mechanisms, a plurality of stations,circuit-controllers at each station in the general and local alarmcircuits, respectively, signal formulating mechanism at each station foroperating both circuit-controllers, and an alarm-controller at eachstation having means to variably control the responsive action of thealarm-mechanism, substantially as described.

2. ln a signaling-system, the combination oit' a general alarm circuitincluding general alarm mechanism, a local alarm circuit including`local alarm mechanisms, a plurality of stations, circuit-controllers ateach station in the general and local alarm circuits, respectively, asignal formulating-mechanism at each station for operating bothcircuit-controllers, an alarm-controller at each station having meansadapted to be set to cause response of all the local alarm mechanisinsand the general alarm mechanism, the setting of said alarm-controller toanother position causing response of only the local alarm mechanisms,substantially as described.

3. ln a signaling svstem, the combination of a general alarm circuitincluding general alarm mechanism, a local alarm circuit including lccalalarm mechanisms, a plurality of stations, circuit-controllers at eachstation in the general and local alarm circuits, respectively, signalformulating mechanism at each station for operating bothcircuitcontrollers, an alarm-controller at each station having meansadapted to be set to causa response of all the lccal alarm mechanismsand the general alarm mechanism, setting of said alarm-controller toanother position at one station causing response of all the local alarmmechanisms upon actuation of the signal formulating mechanism at saidstation, and setting of the alarm-controller at one of said stations toanother position causing response of onlv the local alarm mechanismassociated With the signal formulating mechanism which is beingactuated, substantially as described. y

fl. In a signaling-system, the combination of a general alarm circuitincluding general alarm mechanism, a local alarm circuit including localalarm mechanisms, a plurality of stations, circuit-controllers at eachstation in the general and local alarm circuits, respectively, signalformulating mechanism at each station for operating both circuitcontrollers, an alarm-controller at each station having means adapted tobe set to cause response of all the local alarm mechanisms and thegeneral alarm mechanism, setting of said alarm-controller to anotherposition at one station causing response of all the local alarmmechanisms upon actuation of the signal formulating mechanism at saidstation, and setting of the alarm-controller at one of said stations toanother position causing response of only the local alarm mechanismassociated With the signal formulating mechanism which is being"actuated, and setting of the alarm-controller to another positioncausing response of only the general alarm mechanism upon actuation ofthe signal formulating mechanism at said station, substantially asdescribed.

5. In a signaling-system, the combination of a general alarm circuitincluding general alarm mechanism, and a local alarm circuit includinglocal alarm mechanisms, a plurality ofstations, circuit-controllers ateach station in the general and local alarm circuits, respectively,signal formulating mechanism at each station for operating bothcircuit-controllers, an alarm-controller at each station having meansadapted to be set to cause response of the general alarm mechanism uponactuation of the signal formulating mechanism, the setting ofv saidalarmcontroller to another position causing response of the lrcal alarmmechanism which is associated with the station upon actuation of thesignal formulating mechanism at said station, substantially asdescribed.

6. In a signaling-system, the combination of a general alarm circuitincluding general alarm mechanism, and a local alarm circuit includinglocal alarm mechanism, a plurality of stations, circuit-controllers ateach station in the general and local alarm circuits, respectively,signal formulating mechanism at each station for operating bothcircuit-controllers.l an alarm-controller at each station having meansadapted to be set to cause response of the general alarm mechanism uponactuation of the signal formulating mechanism, the setting of saidalarmcontroller to another position causing response of the local alarmmechanisms, upon actuation of the signal formulating mechanism,substantially as described Y 7. In a signaling system, the combinationof a plurality of stations, a general alarm circuit running throughsaidstations, general alarm mechanism therein, a local alarm circuitvrunning through said stations, local alarm mechanism at each stationforsaid local alarm circuit, circuit-controlling contacts at eachstation connected With said general alarm circuit, circuit-controllincontacts at each station connected with sai local-alarm circuit, and asignal-Wheel at each station adapted to control both contact setsthereat, said circuits including suitable current supply mechanism,substantially as described.

8. In a signaling system, the combination of a plurality of stations, amain circuit eX- tending to said station, signaling-mechanism for saidmain circuit, a local circuit extending to said stations, a localsignaling device at each station connected with said local-circuit, aset of contact members at each station connected with said main circuitfor controlling the opening and closure thereof, a

second set of contact members at each station connected With said localcircuit forV controlling the opening and closure thereof, signalformulating mechanism at each station connected with both sets ofcontact-A members thereat for actuating said contactmembers to controlthe opening and closure of said circuits, switch-mechanism at eachstation and circuits controlled thereby for rendering the main-circuitcontact-members ineffective, and switch-mechanism at each station andcircuits controlled thereby for rendering the local contact-members atsaid station ineffective, and suitable current supply mechanism for saidcircuits, substantially as described.

9. In a signaling-system, the combination of a plurality of stations, amain circuit extending to said stations. main alarm-mechanism includedin said circuit, a local circuit ing and closure thereof and thus causere sponse of all the local signal receiving devices and the'mainsignaling mechanism, and means at each station for rendering the maincircuit contact-springs ineffective whereby upon operation yof thesignal formulating mechanism the local circuit will he opened or closed,each of said circuits including suitable current supply mechanism,substantially as described.

10. In a signaling-system, the combination of a plurality of stations, amain circuit extending to said stations, main alarm mechanism includedin said circuit, a local circuit extending to said stations includinglocal signal receiving mechanism at each station, a set of contactsprings at each station, said contact-springs at the various stationsbeing normally positioned to close the main circuit, a second set ofcontact-springs at each station and said springs at the various stationsbeing normally in position to close the local circuit, signalformulating mechanism at each station operatively connected with bothsets of contact-springs thereat to control the opening and closurethereof and thus cause response of all the local signal receivingdevices and the main signaling mechanism, and means at each station forrendering the local circuit contact-springs thereat ineffective wherebyupon actuation of the signal formulating mechanism the local circuitwill remain closed and only the main circuit controlled, said circuitsincluding current supply mechanism, substantially as described.

11. In a signaling-system, the combination of a plurality of stations, amain cir-l cuit running serially through said stations including a mainsignal receiving device, a set of contact-members at each stationnormally closing said main circuit, a local circuit extending seriallythrough said stations including a local signal receiving device at eachstation, a second set of contact-members at each station normallyclosing said local circuit, signal formulating mechanism at each stationcoperating with both sets of contact-members to actuate saidcontactmembers to open and close said circuits to cause said signalreceiving devices to respond, means at each station adapted to be set toclose the main circuit independently of the main circuit-contactsthereat whereby upon operation of the signal formulating mechanism onlythe local circuit-contacts will be effective, means at each station forclosing the local circuit in bridge of the local signal receiving deviceand the local contact-members at said station whereby the local signalreceiving devices at all the other stations will remain silent uponactuation of the signal formulating mechanism at the one station, aresistance at each sta.- tion included in said local signal receivingdevice holding-circuit upon closure thereof, the local signalreceiving-device and the local contact-members at the station at whichthe local holding-circuit is closed being included in a shunt about theresistance at said station whereby upon actuation of the signal aisanceformulating mechanism at said station said shunt circuit will be openedand closed and the local signal receiving-device at said station willrespond, said circuits including suitable current supply mechanism,substantially as described.

l2. In a signaling-system, the combination of a plurality of stations, amain circuit running serially through the stations and including mainsignal receiving devices, a set of contact-members at each stationnormally closing said main circuit, a local circuit running seriallythrough the stations and including a local signal device at eachstation, a second set of contact members at each station normallyclosing said local circuit, said signal receiving devices respondingupon openings of their respective circuits, signal formulating mechanismat each station for both sets of contact members thereat to open andclose said circuits, and switch mechanism at each station adapted to beset to close a holding-circuit for all of the local signal receivingdevices, setting of said switch-mechanism at any station causing closureof said holding-circuit independently of the local circuitcontact-members thereat whereby upon actuation of the signal formulatingmechanism at said station all the local signal receiving devices willremain silent and only the main signal receiving devices actuated uponcontrol of the main circuit by the main circuit contactmembers at thesaid station, each of said circuits including suitable current supplymechanism, substantially as described,

13. ln a signaling-system, the combination of a plurality of stations, amain circuit running serially through the stations and including mainsignal receiving devices, a set of contact-members at each stationnormally closing said main circuit, a local circuit running seriallythrough the stations and including a local signal device at eachstation, a second set of contact-members at each station normallyclosing said local circuit, said signal receiving devices respondingupon openings of their respective circuits, signal formulating mechanismat each station for both sets of contact-members thereat to open andclose said circuits, and switch-mechanism at each station adapted to beset in various positions to adjust the circuits to variably control theresponsive action of the alarm devices upon actuation of the associatedsignal formulating mechanism, substantially as described.

14. ln a fire-alarm system, the combination of a plurality ofsignal-boxes connected by two electric-circuits with a central-station,each signal-box having signalingmechanism including twocircuit-controllers, one for each circuit, to send a box-number signalover each circuit, an alarm associated with each box arranged in one ofsaid circuits, an alarm at the central-station arranged in the othercircuit, and an alarmcontroller at each boX -having means to variablycontrol the responsive action of said alarms, substantially asdescribed.

15. In a lire-alarm system, the combination of a plurality ofsignal-boxes connected by two circuits with a central-station, eachsignal-box having signaling-mechanism including two circuit-controllers,one for each circuit, to send a box-number signal over each circuit, analarm associated with each .box arranged in one of said circuits, analarm at the central-station arranged in the other circuit, and analarm-controller hav-v ing movable means to separately shunt saidcircuit-controllers, thereby to cause the alarms at the boxes or thecentral-station to sound according to the position of thealarmcontroller, substantially as described.

16. In a signaling system, the combination of a plurality of stationseach having signal formulating mechanism and local alarm mechanism,general alarm mechanism, current supply mechanism, circuits forconnecting said various mechanisms, `and switch mechanism at eachstation adapted to be set to adjust the circuits to cause response of`all the alarm Adevices upon actuation of the associated signalformulating mechanism, the switch mechanism at any station being adaptedto be set to adjust the circuits tov cause response of only the localalarm devices upon actuation of the associated signal formulatingmechanism.

17. In a signaling system, the Vcombination of a plurality of stationseach having signal formulating mechanism and local alarm mechanism,general alarm mechanism, current supply mechanism, circuits forconnecting said various mechanisms, and switch mechanism at each stationfor adjusting the circuit conditions of the system, setting of theswitch mechanism at one station causing adjustment of the circuits tocause response of all the alarm devices upon actuation of the signalformulating mechanism at said one station, setting of the switchmechanism to another position at one station effecting adjustment of thecircuits to cause response of all the local alarm vdevices only uponactuation of the signal formulating mechanism at said station, settingofthe switch mechanism at one of said stations to another positioneffecting adjustment ofl the circuits to cause response of only thelocal alarm device of the said station upon actuation of the signalformulating mechanism at the said station.

18. In a signaling svstem, the combination of a plurality of stationsleach having a signal formulating mechanism and local alarm mechanism,general alarmmechanism, current supply mechanism, circuits forconnecting said various mechanisms and switch mechanism at each stationfor adjusting the circuit conditions of the system, setting of theswitch mechanism at one station causing adjustment of the circuits tocause response of all the alarm devices upon actuation .of the signalformulating mechanism at said one station, setting of the switchmechanism to another position at one station effecting adjustment of thecircuits to cause response of all the local alarm devices only uponactuation of the signal formulating mechanism at said station, settingof the lswitch mechanism at one of said stations to another positioneffecting adjustment of the circuits to cause response of only the localalarm device 'of the said station upon actuation of the signalformulating mechanism at the said station, and setting of the switchmechanism to another position at one of said stations effectingadjustment" of the circuits to cause response of only the general alarmdevices upon actuation of the signal formulating mechanism at the saidstation.

19. In a signaling system, the combination of a plurality ofstationseach having signal formulating mechanism and a local alarm device,general alarm mechanism, cur-rent supply mechanism, circuits connectingsaid various mechanisms and devices, and selective switch mechanism ateach station, the switch mechanisms at the stations being normally setto adjust the circuits to cause response of all the alarm devices uponactuation of the signal formulating mechanisms at any one of saidstations, setting of the switch mechanism at one station to anotherposition effecting adjustment of the circuits to cause response of allthe local alarms only upon actuation of the signal formulating mechanismat the station, and setting of the switch mechanism at any station toanother position effecting adjustment of the circuits to cause responseof only the general alarm mechanism upon actuation of the signalformulating mechanism at the said station.

20. In a signaling system, the combination of a plurality of stationseach having signal formulating mechanism and a local alarm device,generalY alarm mechanism, current supply mechanism, circuits connectingsaid various mechanisms and devices, and selective switch mechanism ateach station, the switch mechanisms at the stations being normally setto adjust the circuits `to cause response of all the alarm devices uponactua.- tion of the signal formulating mechanisms at any one of saidstations, setting of the switch mechanism at one station to anotherposition effecting adjustment of the circuits to cause response o f allthe local alarm devices only upon actuation of thel signal formulatingmechanism at the station, and setting ofthe switch `mechanism at anystation effecting adjustment of the circuits to cause response of onlythe general alarm mechanism upon actuation of thel signal formulatingmechanism at the said station.

21. In a signaling system, the combination ofa plurality of stationseach having signal formulating mechanism andr local alarm mechanism,general alarm mechanism, current supply mechanism, circuits forconnecting said various mechanisms in various relations, switchmechanism at eachl station for controlling the connection arrangement ofsaid circuits, the switch mechanism and the signal formulatingmechanisms at the stations being normally in position to close .acircuit through all said various alarm mechanisms and signal formulatingmechanism and current supply mechanism whereupon actuation of the signalformulating mechanism at any station will effect opening and closure ofsaid circuit to cause response of all the alarm mechanisms, and aholding circuit for the general alarm mechanism, setting of the switchmechanism to another position at any one sub-station causing closure ofsaid holding circuit to prevent operation of the general alarmmechanisms whereby the local alarm mechanisms only will respond uponactuation of the signal formulating mechanism at the said station.

22. In a signaling system, the combination of a plurality of stationseach having signal formulating mechanism and local alarm mechanism,general alarm mechanism, current supply mechanism, circuits forconnecting said various mechanisms in various relations, switchmechanism at each station for controlling the connection arrangement ofsaid circuits, the switch mechanism and the signal formulating mechanismat the stations being normally in position to close a circuit throughall said various alarm mechanisms and signal formulating mechanism andcurrent supply mechanism whereupon actuation of the signal formulatingmechanism at any station will effect opening and closure of said circuitto cause response of all the alarm mechanisms, a holding circuit for thegeneral alarm mechanism, setting of the switch mechanism to anotherposition at any one station causing closure of said holding circuit toprevent operation of the general alarm mechanisms whereby the localalarm mechanisms only will respond upon actuation of the signalformulating mechanism at the said station, a holding circuit for thelocal alarm device, setting of the switch mechanism at any one stationto another position causing closure of the holding circuit through thegeneral alarm mechanism and causing closure of the local alarm deviceholding circuit through all the local alarm devices except at the saidone station whereby the local alarm de 'ice at only kthe said onestation will respond and the local alarm devices at all the other'stations and the general alarm mechanism will remain silent uponactuation of the signal formulating mechanism at ythe saidv one station.

23. In a signaling system, the combination of a plurality of stationseach having signal formulating mechanism and local alarm mechanism,general alarm mechanism, current supply mechanism, circuits forconnecting said various mechanisms in various relations, switchmechanism at each station for controlling the connection arrangement ofsaid circuits, the switch mechanism and the signal formulating mechanismat the stations being normally in position to close a circuit throughall said various alarm mechanisms and signal formulating mechanism andcurrent supply mechanism whereupon actuation of the signal formulatingmechanism at any station will effect opening and closure of said circuitto cause response of all the alarm mechanisms, a holding circuit for thegeneral alarm mechanism, setting of the switch mechanism to anotherposition at any one station causing closure of said holding circuit toprevent operation of thev general alarm mechanisms whereby the localalarm mechanisms only will respond upon actuation of the signalformulating mechanism at the said station, a holding circuit for thelocal alarm device, setting of the switch mechanism at any one stationto another position causing closure of the holding circuit through thegeneral alarm mechanism and causing closure of the local alarm deviceholding circuit through all the local alarm devices except at the saidone station wherebythe local alarm device at only the said one stationwill respond and the local alarm devices at all the other stations andthe general alarm mechanism will remain silent upon actuation of thesignal formulating mechanism at the said one station and setting of theswitch mechanism at any one station to another position effectingadjustment of the circuits to cause closure of a holding circuit throughall the local alarm mechanisms whereby upon actuation of the signalformulating mechanism at the one substation only the general alarmmechanism will respond.

24. In a signaling system the combination of a general alarm circuit,general alarm mechanism therein a local alarm circuit, a plurality ofstations, a set of contacts at each station for opening and closing saidgeneral alarm circuit, a set of contacts at each station for opening andclosing said local alarm circuit, and a signal formulating mechanism ateach station for controlling both contact sets, each of said circuitsincluding suitable current supply mechanism. v v v 25. In a signalingsystem, the combination of a plurality of stations, a main circuitrunning serially through the stations and including main signalreceiving devices, a set of Contact members at each station normallyclosing said main circuit, a local circuit running serially through thestations and including a local signal device at each station, a secondset of contact members at each station normally closing said localcircuit, said signal receiving devices responding upon openings of theirrespective circuits, signal formulating mechanism at each station forboth sets of contact members thereat to open and close said circuits, anon-interference electromagnet at each station signally included in themain circuit, and an armature structure at each station for theelectro-magnet thereat, and having interlocking association with thesignal formulating mechanism at said station for preventing interferencebetween signals when the signal formulating mechanisms at a number ofstations are operating at the same time, each of said circuits includingsuitable current supply mechanism.

26. ln a signaling-system, the combina tion of a plurality of stationseach having a signal-formulating mechanism and localalarm mechanism,general-alarm mechanism, current-supply mechanism, circuits forconnecting said various mechanisms, and switch-mechanism at each stationfor adjusting the circuit conditions of the system, setting of theswitch-mechanism at one station causing adjustment of the circuits tocause response of all the alarm devices upon actuation of the signalformulating mechanism at said one station, setting of thoswitch-mechanism at one of said stations to another position eiectingadjustment of the circuits to cause response of only the local alarmdevice of the said station upon' actuation of the signal-formulatingmechanism at the said station, and setting of the switchmechanism toanother position at one of said stations eecting adjustment of thecircuits to cause response of only the general alarm devices uponactuation of the signalformulating mechanism at the said station,substantially as described.

27. In a signaling-system, the combination of a plurality of stationseach having signal-formulating mechanism and local alarm mechanism,general alarm mechanism, current supply mechanism, circuits forconnecting said various mechanism in various relations, switch-mechanismat each station for controlling the arrangement of said circuits, theswitch-mechanism and the signal formulating mechanism at the sta- Ytions being normally in position to close a circuit through all saidvarious alarm mechanisms and signal-formulating mechanism and currentsupply mechanism whereupon actuation of the signal-formulating mechanismat any station will effect opening and closure of said circuit to causeresponse of all the alarm mechanisms, a holding-circuit for the localalarm device, setting of the switch-mechanism at any one station toanother position causing closure of the holding-circuit through thegeneral alarm mechanism and causing closure of the local alarm deviceholding-circuit through all the local alarm devices except at the saidone station whereby the local alarm device at only the said one stationwill respond and the local alarm devices at all the other stations andthe general alarm mechanism will remain silent upon actuation of thesignal formulating mechanism at the said one station and setting of theswitch-mechanism at any one station to another position eectingadjustment of the circuitsto cause closure of a holding-circuit throughall the local alarm mechanisms, whereby upon actuation of the signalformulating mechanism at the one substation only the general alarmmechanism will respond, substantially as described.

28. In a signaling-system, the combination of a general alarm circuitincluding general alarm mechanism, a local alarm circuit including localalarm mechanism, a plurality of stations, circuit-controllers at eachstation in the general and local alarm circuits, respectively, signalformulating mechanism at each station for operating bothcircuit-controllers, an alarm-controller at each station havingmeans tovariably control the responsive action of the alarmmechanisms, means tolock said alarm-controller in the different positions it may be set, andmeans to operate said lockingmeans to disengage the alarm-controller,and means to return the alarm-controller to normal position whendisengaged and hold it in normal position, substantially as de-vscribed.

29. In a signaling-system, the combination of a plurality ofsignal-boxes connected by two electric-circuits with a central-station,each signal-box having signalingmechanism including twolcircuit-controllers, one for each circuit, to send a boX- number signalover each circuit, an alarm associated with each bo-X arranged in one ofsaid circuits, an alarm at the central-station arranged in the othercircuit, and an alarm-controller at each box having means to variablycontrol the responsive action of said alarms, means toloclz saidalarm-controller in the diferent positionsit may be set, and meanscontrolled by the door of the hoX to operate said locking-means todisengage the alarm-controller, and means to return the alarm-controllerto normal position when disengaged and to hold it in normal position,substantially as described.

30, ln a signaling-system, the combination of a plurality of stationseach having signal formulating mechanism and local alarm mechanism,general alarm mechanism, current supply mechanism, circuits forconnecting said various mechanisms, switch-mechanism at each stationnormally set to adjust the circuits to cause response of all the alarmdevices upon actuation of the associated signal formulating mechanism,the switch-mechanism at any station being adapted to be set to adjustthe circuits to variably control the responsive action 0f said alarmdevices, means to lock said switch-mechanism in the different positionsit may be set, means controlled by the door of the box to operate saidlocking-means to disengage the switch-mechanism, and means to returnsaid switch-mechanism to normal position when disengaged and hold it innormal position, substantially as described.

3l. In a signaling-system, the combination of a general alarm circuitand a local alarm circuit, a plurality of stations, circuitcontrollersat each station in the general alarm and local alarm circuits,respectively, a signal formulating mechanism at each station foroperating both circuit-controllers, and non-interference mechanism ateach station for preventing interference between signals when the signalformulating mechanisms at a number of stations are operating at the sametime, substantially as described.

82. In a signaling-system, the combination of a general alarm circuitand a local alarm circuit, a plurality of stations, circuitcontrollersat each station in the general alarm and local alarm circuits,respectively,

signal formulating mechanism at each station for operating bothcircuit-controllers, a non-interference mechanism at each station underthe control of the general alarm circuit for preventing interferencebetween signals when the signal formulating mechanisms at a number ofstations are operating at the said time, substantially as described. 33.ln a signal system, the combination of a general alarm circuit and alocal alarm circuit, a plurality of stations, circuit-controllers ateach station in the general alarm and local alarm circuits,respectively, a signal formulating mechanism at each station foroperating both circuit-controllers, a noninterference mechanism at eachstation, the general alarm circuit-controllers being subject to thenon-interference control of said mechanism, substantially as described.

84E. In a signaling-system, the combination of a general alarm circuitand a local alarm circuit, a plurality of stations, circuitcontrollersat each station in the general alarm and local alarm circuitsrespectively, a signal formulating mechanism at each station foroperating both circuit-controllers, a non-interference mechanism at eachstation under the control of the general alarm circuit to preventinterference between signals when the signal formulating mechanism at anumber of stations are operating at the same time, both the generalalarm circuit-controllers and the local alarm circuit-controllers beingsubject to the non-interference control of said mechanism, substantiallyas described.

35. In a lire alarm system, the combination of a plurality ofnon-interference fire alarm signal boxes connected by two electriccircuits with a central-station, the signalingmechanism of each of saidboxes Aincluding two circuit-controllers, one in each circuit, means foroperating the same to send a boxnumber signal over each circuit, analarm at the central-station arranged in one of said circuits andsubject to control of the noninterference mechanism of each signal-box,an alarm associated with each box arranged in the other of said circuitsand also subject to the control of said non-interference mechanism, andmeans at each local-station for variably controlling the responsiveaction of the said alarms, substantially as described 36. In asignaling-system, the combination of a general alarm circuit includinggeneral alarm mechanism and a local alarm circuit including local alarmmechanism, a plurality of stations and circuit-controllers at eachstation in the general and local alarm circuits respectively, signalformulating mechanism at each station for operating bothcuit-controllers, an alarm-controller at each station having means tovariably control the responsive action of the alarm mechanism, anon-interference mechanism at each station for preventing interferencebetween signals when the signal formulating mechanisms at a number ofstations are operating at the same time, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

NATHAN H. SUREN.

Witnesses CHARLES H. MoUL'roN, EDWARD J. COLEMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressingthe Gommissioner of latents,

Washington, D. C.

